The new Danish portfolio method
October 21:
Welcome and presentation of the ALFA Council members, The portfolio method in Danish Language Education 1, presented by Cecilie Olsen, Follow-up research on the portfolio method, presented by Susana Fernández, A teacher’s experiences of the portfolio method, presented by Louise Kristensen, Plenary discussion
The Danish DU1 (Danskuddannelse 1) is aimed at adult migrants with little or no previous formal education, who often need to develop basic reading and writing skills alongside their second-language development.
In Denmark, municipalities are responsible for providing Danish language education for adult foreigners. Each municipality decides whether to provide the education through a municipal language centre or to enter into an agreement with an external provider, such as a private language centre. Danish language education is therefore provided by both municipal and non-municipal language centres, including private and self-governing institutions.
A national portfolio system has now been introduced for Study Route 1
The portfolio system is new and was developed by two ALFA Council members on behalf of the Danish government: Cecilie Løsecke Olsen, Chief Consultant at SIRI, and Susana S. Fernández, Professor and PhD at Aarhus University.
The following documents relating to the portfolio method were presented:
- A brief description of the portfolio method in Danish Language Education 1 (DU1)
- Guidelines for using the portfolio method in teaching Danish Language Education 1
- The Red Book: A role-based portfolio for non-literate immigrant language learners from Amsterdam, by Annemarie Nuwenhoud et al.
The meeting also included an introduction to the new Danish Language Examination 1 (Prøve i Dansk 1), including examples of the oral examination, in which candidates use products from their portfolios as a basis for communication:
- Examples of an examination portfolio.
- Examples of the reading comprehension test.
- A video recording of a candidate taking the oral examination.
- An example of the written production test.
- Guidelines for Danish Language Examination 1 and SIRI’s final examination guidelines for the new test.
Presentations were given on the development and implementation of the portfolio method by Cecilie Løsecke Olsen, Susana I. Fernández and Louise Kristensen, a teacher from one of the institutions involved in piloting the method.
Louise Kristensen teaches in Danish Language Education 1 and has extensive experience of working with the portfolio method. She took part in SIRI’s pilot project and contributed to developing and adapting the method to Danish conditions. She shared her experiences and presented examples from her teaching. A participant’s portfolio can be physical, digital or both. Many participants in LESLLA instruction need basic digital skill training in order to use digital aids, such as images and video, as part of their portfolio. The guide to the portfolio method in Danskuddannelse 1 (in Danish) offers good advice on the possibilities a digital portfolio provides.
School visit
Oct 22:
Welcome at AOF Job & Dansk and presentation of the program, Classroom observation and discussion with a teachers, Dialogue with school management and teachers, Learners present their portfolio folders, Plenary discussion
The visit to AOF Job & Dansk included classroom observations, discussions with teachers and meetings with the principal and the manager responsible for the program. Their perspectives on the portfolio-based teaching approach provided valuable insights and learning opportunities for the participants.
Following the visit, a plenary session was held at the university. Participants reflected on their observations and experiences of teaching and learning through the portfolio model. They also compared the learning needs and teaching approaches for this target group in their respective countries from a didactic perspective.
News and reports from ALFA Council members
Oct 23:
Short presentations by ALFA Council members: a representative from each member country presents the national provision for the LESLLA target group in their country, ALFA Council meeting, including a discussion on how to share experiences and what type of event to organize for Nordic LESLLA teachers.
Representatives from Finland, Norway, the Faroe Islands and Sweden presented the current situation in their respective countries. Many questions were raised concerning both the opportunities and limitations facing LESLLA learners, as well as possible future restrictions in respective countries. Participants highlighted a general trend towards more restrictive policies and regulations affecting adult migrant education in several Nordic countries, although the situation varies between countries.
Plans for 2027
Finally, plans for 2027 were discussed, and two forthcoming webinars were agreed upon. Different webinars with different focus were discussed. One webinar will focus on how LASLLIAM is used as the foundation for NC’s (Nationellt Centrum för svenska som andraspråk, Sweden) online course for practicing teachers working with Study Route 1.